Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda
I finished Great Expectations at 12:40 this morning and then went to bed. I should’ve gone to bed at a decent hour, since Natalie and I had stayed up til 11:45 the night before finishing our Global Puzzle, but I couldn’t stop reading until I knew what happened to Pip.
It’s funny, there are so many books that people say I should read. And until this year, I’ve completely rebelled against that idea. I want to read what I want to read. But as I’ve endeavored to expand my reading horizons this year and dipped into Jane Austen for the first time, and now some Dickens, I’m beginning to understand something. People call these books “classics” for a reason. They may take more time and concentration to read, but they are worth the investment.
Though these books are older and take place at a time far removed from our own, the issues and relationships and feelings involved are universal. The lessons that Pip and Miss Havisham and Elizabeth Bennett learn are lessons we all need to learn at various times in our lives. And authors like Dickens and Austen are considered the best for good reason – they have a way of describing their characters, time, and place that puts us there.
I’m not going to balk at reading the classics any longer. They take more work, but they’re worth it.
Well, since you’re getting brave . . .
Might I recommend Dostoevsky?
;o)
October 28th, 2006 at 2:21 pmI need to go back and reread a few, and maybe try some I haven’t read. Emily will be doing Great Expectations in her freshman lit class this year, so I’ll probably reread it then. (Her teacher did admit that she doesn’t make them read the whole thing.)
October 28th, 2006 at 2:53 pmJodi – actually Brothers Karamazov is on my list for next year. It’s another one I’ve been told I “should” read.
Karen – I think it’s weird that she’s not going to have them read the whole thing. Maybe an abridged version? But even then, it seems kind of a shame. It is long, but well worth it.
October 28th, 2006 at 4:53 pmI delved into the classics later in life, too. I nursed my son through War and Peace, and worked my way through Jane Austen when I was about to deilver DD2.
October 28th, 2006 at 6:00 pmNice! *Grin*
October 29th, 2006 at 7:42 amMomof3 – I don’t know if I could’ve focused on War and Peace on the little sleep you get with a baby in the house!
Mrs. Moo –
October 29th, 2006 at 10:47 amI havent yet managed War and Peace or any Dostoevsky, but they are on my list for sometime or other!
Like I said, you inspired me to pick out a couple more Dickens that I hadnt read yet, so far so good
I used to go the book store and peruse the “classics” section all the time!
I love books from other times and places… Not that I have read a huge amount of them, but I do also like that they make you think.
None of my lit. teachers EVER made us read entire works. Isnt that kinda…. uuuhhh …. Pointless?
I had one teacher who taught using only cliffs notes (did I spell that right?) But it just seems a little silly to me.
Seriously if people can understand Rappers, they could figure out Dickens as well!!!!!! :p
October 29th, 2006 at 8:58 pmGreat Expectations was my first Dickens as well; I read it last year. I loved it–the characters are wonderful! I keep telling myself to try another one of his books but I just haven’t. Maybe this week???
October 30th, 2006 at 10:13 amCongratulations! I’m a big fan of reading classics. They are so rich in character development; reading a classic satisfies in a way no pulp fiction can. This weekend I was at a garage sale and saw a stack of old, dusty books. It was the complete works of Dumas and a set of Dickens (not complete).
I asked the price and the lady had tears come into her eyes. “If you would value them, you can have them,” was her poignant reply. “They’ve been in the family for generations but none of my children want them.” I checked the font (they have to be readable) and gave her some money. More Dickens to read: yippee!
Right now they are in the garage, waiting to be cleaned with the air compressor. And then I have to find the shelf space for them. Yikes!
October 30th, 2006 at 12:20 pmLawanda – that’s weird, the lit teachers I remember wouldn’t allow us to use Cliff’s Notes at all. They wanted us to actually read the books.
Randi – I’m going to try A Tale of Two Cities sometime soon.
Carol – what a great find!
October 30th, 2006 at 12:25 pmWell, I do live in WV, remember! And these were High School lit. classes, too, not college or anything. I am positive that makes a difference
Plus only one of them did the cliffs notes thing. But seriously, I had one teacher tell me specifically not to read the whole of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. But I was enjoying them, so I ignored her 
I am very much enjoying Pickwick Papers, too. I literally laughed out loud for ten minutes last night!! It is quite funny. TY again for the nudge
October 31st, 2006 at 9:37 pmLawanda – you’re welcome! I’ll have to add Pickwick Papers to my list.
October 31st, 2006 at 9:51 pmI stumbled upon your site through Tonia’s at Intent – I just wanted to say that I love Great Expectations as well! It has always been my favorite – and so many lessons to learn.
November 1st, 2006 at 11:09 amLittle Dorrit is another excellent Dickens.
Anyway, I enjoy your site – I’ll be back!
Elise – Thanks for stopping by! I am adding all the Dickens titles to my ever-growing “to-read” list.
November 1st, 2006 at 12:54 pm